This column will serve as a voice for the voiceless.
Justin Whitworth should start the rest of the season as quarterback for the Emporia State football team. The thing is, he wouldn’t even agree with me.
Throughout ESU’s entire quarterback controversy/shuffle/carousel/flip-a-coin-to-see-who-goes-in situation this season, Whitworth has made it easy on coach Dave Wiemers.
Not only has the senior produced when he has gone in during cold situations, he also hasn’t made a big fuss about being the starter.
“Ben is the starter, don’t get me wrong,” Whitworth said after coming in for a 7-of-9, 148-yard passing performance against Fort Hays State on Sept. 16. “He’s a much better player than me.”
This is where I’m going to have to disagree — even with Whitworth.
Purkeypile might have the stronger arm and also might be the Hornets’ future. Barring an unforeseen change, he will be leading ESU next year, a team that should compete for a postseason appearance.
But right now, he is not the better quarterback — at least for this team.
The Hornets are in a funk, having lost four straight games because of fumbled snaps and untimely mistakes and silly penalties.
They don’t need a risk at the game’s most important position — they need consistency.
This is where Whitworth could do them wonders.
In his 67 passing attempts this season, Whitworth has just one interception and one fumble, compared to Purkeypile’s five picks and seven fumbles over 144 attempts.
Not only that, but Whitworth has been able to avoid the big loss by using his mobility. He has gained 106 rushing yards this season (some of those coming on draw plays) and has never finished a game with a negative rushing total.
Purkeypile, on the other hand, has lost 143 yards — almost a football field and a half — by taking sacks.
Add to that Whitworth’s senior leadership, his smarts on the field and his intangibles (he called a passing audible this season that went for a touchdown against Pittsburg State, even though ESU does not even have passing audibles), and he should be the guy asked to lead the Hornets out of their slump.
So far, Wiemers has done the easy thing — starting Purkeypile, then switching over to Whitworth if he was needed.
This week he should do the easier thing — turn the team over to the senior Whitworth for the last three games of the season, starting with Washburn this Saturday.
Sure, Whitworth might argue with him.
But he also might save the season as well.
juan15 (anonymous) says...
You are right on. I am so glad that someone had the guts to write this article. The situation at Quarterback effects the whole team. It is especially hard on the wider receivers and the running backs/full backs.
I just hope the coach takes note.
October 26, 2006 at 7:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )